The structural and functional classification and evolution of cytokines

: According to the type of secondary structure, cytokines are classified into three categories: alpha-spiral (IFNs-alpha, beta, omega, gamma; ILS-2, 3,4,5,6,7,9; CSFs-G, M, GM, MGF, PDGF), beta-structural (ILs-1 alpha, beta, TNFs-alpha, beta, FGF) and (alpha + beta)-structural proteins (IL-8, IFN-gamma IP-10, PF-4, bTG, GRO, 9E3). According to the type of tertiary structure, alpha-spiral proteins are grouped into IFN- and IL-2-like families and beta-structural ones into IL-1-, and TNF-like families. Two subfamilies can be identified in the IFN-like family. Theoretical and experimental evidence suggests that the genes IFNs are products of divergent or convergent evolution towards the gene of the ancient intracellular protein alpha-prothymosine, which is evolutionally in turn associated with the L7/I1 protein of two ribosomes. It is suggested that the proteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily, including cytokine receptors descended from the ancient proteins of the unicellular organisms molecular shaperons.